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Abortion not linked to increased risk of suicidal thoughts

The idea that abortion is linked to higher risk of suicide has been used to discourage women from having abortions. It has found its way into mandated counseling laws—in Texas, for instance, women are given a booklet warning them that they are at increased risk of becoming suicidal if they have an abortion.

New research from ANSIRH’s Turnaway Study found no evidence that women who have abortions are at higher risk of developing symptoms of suicidal ideation than women denied abortions. Women who sought abortion at later gestational ages were at no higher risk of having suicidal thoughts post-abortion seeking than those who sought abortion earlier in pregnancy.

Researchers found that having a history of mental health conditions and intimate partner violence increased women’s risk of experiencing symptoms of suicidal ideation, not having an abortion. Policies requiring that women be warned that they are at increased risk of becoming suicidal if they choose abortion are not supported by scientific evidence.